October 30, 2008

Competing against the analog Tivoli Model One, which retails for $120, the Sangean WR-11 enters the upscale analog radio market at a respectable $89.99.

I'm confident that the speaker sound, build quality, and speaker sound, and FM reception is excellent. However, I am eager to hear reports of its AM reception, which for me remains its biggest question mark.

Comments

The new Sangean WR-11 will be a killer radio for most folks. The AM band is only questionable for folks who want to listen to hate radio. At least that's the way it is here in greater Phoenix area.

Lucky you, the AM bands have very diverse programming in the LA area compared to here in Phoenix.

As I'm sure you're aware, Arizona is a backward looking state with as many right wing kooks as say the states of Alabama or Alaska combined.

Right now, I love my Sangean WR-2 with remote control. Hopefully, when Sangean releases a new version of the WR-2, they make things very simple (setting alarm and snooze functions are just way too complicated) AND they can delete the AF and CT functions since they're not used in the USA.

I wish Sangean would make a stereo version of the WR-1/WR-11. Though I acknowledge for a radio this size one large speaker usually sounds better than two smaller speakers, some recorded music just sounds muffled or phasey when folded down to mono. Sangean's HDR-1 is ergonomically challenged. It also received mediocre performance reviews. The WR-3 at $300 costs three times as much and has a built-in CD player that just adds complexity. (I think CDs are a dying format, much as I hate to see physical media disappear.)
My 0.02¢.

It is a good looking radio---Sangean always seems to get that right. AM is of utmost importance to me. Good AM should pick up stations from distant cities, so the fellow in Arizona could try to find "Air America" or some other left wing borefest (no wonder they get no ratings). I guess I'll stick with the hate radio, though I'm not a hateful guy (except hating huge tax increases).

I guess the Cambridge 705 could never do more than marginally compete with the Tivoli and maybe WR-1, Crosley, in that $119 priced mono table model market?
And I'm a little surprised Sangean is hanging in there with a cheaper WR-11 to go against the TivModel 1.

My comment about staying away from analog, is for this type of radio only. For certain vintage stuff I'm cool with it.
But against a BAR or a Solo I don't see any advantages.